'Nothing comes close': Andrew Abdo clips rival codes with big claim in Dally M speech
NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo took a swipe at rival codes in his opening address at the Dally M Awards, declaring rugby league the top sport in Australia and the Pacific and claiming "nothing comes close".
Chairman Peter V'landys has repeatedly delivered swipes at rival codes since he started his tenure, in particular rugby and the AFL.
Now Abdo has joined the party.
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"2025 was a year we broke records and broke boundaries — more viewers, bigger crowds, higher engagement, but importantly, more kids playing than ever before," Abdo said.
"This wasn't just a great year — it was an historic one.
NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo. Fox League
"But these results don't just happen. Rugby league is a team sport.
"None of this would be possible without the vision and courage of the Australian Rugby League Commission, led by chairman Peter V'landys, who continued to challenge the status quo and push our game forward.
"This vision has made rugby league the number one sport in Australia and the Pacific.
"Nothing comes close."
Watch the 2025 NRL premiership live and free on Nine and 9Now.
Abdo also claimed this year was "the most watched sports season in Australian sporting history".
And he described rugby league as "the most physical sport in the world".
